Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay in San Jose, CA: $39.00 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a sterile processing technician working in San Jose, CA runs $39.00 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $81,131 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Weighted against San Jose's regional price level (BEA RPP 110.4, 10% above national), each hour of work buys what $35.32 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $48,671 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In San Jose, the sterile processing technician hourly pay is projected to reach $39.00 in 2026, significantly exceeding the national median of $22.94 per hour. This rate offers a competitive edge for part-time workers, who typically work around three days a week in diverse environments, such as hospital SPD decontamination and assembly rooms, ambulatory surgery center instrument processing rooms, and central instrument pickup routes. For those at the entry level, hourly wages start at approximately $28.21, while seasoned professionals can earn up to $47.40 per hour, reflecting both effort and expertise. The robust employment conditions for sterile processing technicians in San Jose can largely be attributed to the rising demand for competent professionals adhering to credential requirements, driven in part by state mandates and industry standards set by organizations like HSPA.
Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $28.21 | $225.70 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37.36 | $298.90 |
| Median (P50) | $39.00 | $311.99 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $43.82 | $350.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $47.40 | $379.19 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in San Jose
Based on $39.00/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $39.00/hr, a sterile processing technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in San Jose, CA can expect to earn approximately $81,118 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $46,799. With a cost-of-living index of 110.42 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in San Jose.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in San Jose
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,559.96 | $6,760 | $81,118 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $935.98 | $4,056 | $48,671 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $623.99 | $2,704 | $32,447 |
Compare SPT, CRCST Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Sterile Processing Technician (San Jose) | $39.00 |
| Surgical Technologist (National Avg) | $29.34 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $20.14 |
| Phlebotomist (National Avg) | $20.36 |
| Nursing Assistant (National Avg) | $18.86 |
Sterile Processing Technicians in San Jose, CA earn a median of $81,131 per year (2026 est.), which is 70.00% higher than the national median of $47,724 and 33.50% above the California state average of $60,772.
Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $39.00/hr = $48,671/year (purchasing power: $44,077).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $81,118/year (purchasing power: $73,461).
CoL index: 110.423 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$18.82/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$37.42/hr
2026 Current Est.
$39.00/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+116.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in San Jose (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.82/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.17/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $35.96/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $31.94/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $35.80/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $37.75/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $37.42/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39.00/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40.64/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for sterile processing technicians in San Jose grew 98.8% from $18.82/hr (2019) to $37.42/hr (2025). At a 4.22% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $40.64/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem sterile processing technicians can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Jose metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 4.22% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Sterile Processing Technician in San Jose
The earnings potential for sterile processing technicians varies greatly depending on their employment status and setting. A part-time technician working 24 hours a week may take home around $48,432 annually, substantially lower than their full-time counterparts. Per diem opportunities in San Jose typically range from $22 to $32 per hour, with specialized roles like CER-certified endoscope reprocessors attracting pay rates between $28 and $40 per hour in agency work. The trend towards travel contracts—offering weekly pay of $1,000 to $1,500—has also emerged as healthcare facilities seek to fill gaps in staffing. Differences in hourly rates can often be found across various employer types, including hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, and third-party sterile processing services. Technicians may choose lower wages that come with benefits, while others might prioritize higher hourly pay without the safety net of health insurance. When negotiating pay, it's crucial to understand the local market; emphasizing certifications or willingness to fill urgent per diem roles can lead to better compensation opportunities in San Jose's rapidly evolving healthcare environment.
More salary data for San Jose, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for sterile processing technicians in San Jose in 2026?
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Written by Amina Patel, CCSVP
Career Analyst
Amina has 8 years of experience in sterile processing. She specialized in instrument sterilization techniques in a large hospital. Amina analyzes career trends for sterile processing technicians.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 4.22% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for sterile processing technicians in San Jose. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.22%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for sterile processing technicians (SOC 31-9093).
Compiled and verified by Amina Patel, CCSVP, a licensed sterile processing technician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov